Aeroplane



June 29 1926. 1,590,880

A. V. BROQUIST AEROPLANE Filed May 5, 1924 4 SheetsSheet 1 INVEHTOR 17/ I BY 6 v 4' ATTORNEY WITNESS? June 29 1926.

A. v. BROQUIST AEROPLANE 7 Filed may 5, 1924 Mman 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ATTORNEY June 29 1926.

A. V. BROQUIST AEROPLANE Filed May :3. 1924 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 ATTORNEY WITNESS:

A. V. BROQUIST AEROPLANE Filed May 5. 1924 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 JZTZBroquz'st ATTORNEY v June 29 1926.

WITNESS:

Patented June 29, 19268 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALBEN V. BROQUIST, OF CHISAGO CITY, MINNESOTA.

AEROPLANE.

Application filed May 3, 1924. Serial 1W0. 710,883.

This invention relates to aeroplanes and has for its chief characteristic the provision of mechanism for arranging the wings at different angles with relation to the body of the machine for the purpose of stabilization, and to permit the wings to be folded alongside of the machine after the latter has attained suficient speed to justify this ar rangement.

The nature and advantages of the invention will be better understood when the following detailed description is read in connection with the accompanying drawings, the invention residing in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts as claimed.

In the drawing forming part of this application, like numerals of reference indicate similar parts in the several views, and wherein:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary plan view of the machine showing the wings extended by full lines, and their folded positions by dotted lines.

Figure 2 is an end elevation of the machine showing the normal position of the wings by full lines and th tilted positions of said wings by dotted lines.

Figure 3 is a side elevation of the machine showing another adjusted position of the wings by dotted lines.

Figure 4: is a view showing the means employed for simultaneously adjusting the wings at the opposite sides of the machine.

Figure 5 is a View partly in section and taken at a right angle to Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a plan view of the support for the wing sections.

Figure 7 is a vertical sectional view through Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a plan view of the support for the wing sections with the upper disk removed.

Figure 9 is a plan view of the ring or annulus forming part of the wing support.

Figure 10 is a plan view of the lowermost disk forming part of the wing support.

Figure 11 is a view of the disk shown in Figure 10 without the teeth.

Figure 12 is a plan view of another disk forming part of the wing support.

Figure 13 is an edge elevation of the disk shown in Figure 12.

Figure 14 is a vertical sectionalview through the support for the wings showing the various disks assembled.

Figure 15 is a plan view of Figure 14 partly broken away.

Figure 16 is a sectional view showing the yieldable connection between one of the rods utilized for tilting the wings.

Figure 17 is a detail view showing the connection between the operating lever and the combined sliding and rotary shaft for adjusting the wings.

Figure 18 is a detail view of one of the rests used in connection with the wings when the latter are swung to their folded position.

Figure 19 is a sectional view on line 19-19 of Figure 4:.

Referring to the drawing in detail, A indicates generally an aeroplane of Well known construction, and wherein each wing is made up of two sections 10 and 11 respectively. These sections are mounted to permit the section 10 which is considerably smaller than the section 11 with respect to its width, to be arranged beneath the section 11 when the wings are moved toward the body A in folded position. In addition to this contemplated operation, the wings are also mounted for pivotal movement and are adapted to be similarly adjusted to vary the degree of inclination of said wing with relation to the body A under any and all conditions, with a view of stabilizing the machine.

In order to carry these ideas into effect, I make use of a mechanism constituting a support for each wing, and which mechanism includes a disk 12 from which projects diametrically opposed pivots 13 adapted to be received by suitable bearings 14 to allow the wings to be arranged at different angles with relation to the body A in a manner to be hereinafter described. Also projecting from this disk are knobs or extensions 15 which are adapted to be connected with manually controlled means for tilting the wings. Rising from the disk 12 is a pair of spaced posts 16, each of which supports a ball 17, and it will be noted that these posts are arranged in a line obliquely to the line of the machine. Supported upon the posts 16 is a second disk 18, the underside of which is provided with depressions or sockets 19 to accommodate the balls 17 above referred to, while both the disk 12 and the disk 18 is provided with central openings 20 as shown. Radiating from the disk 18 is a knob or extension 21 which is also adapted to be connected with the mechanism through the in strumentality of which the disks 12 and 18 may be tilted as a unit. The upper side of the disk 18 is provided with an annular series of teeth 22 which mesh with a group of pinions 23 diametrically opposite and projecting inwardly from the inner per1phcry of a ring or annulus 24 which is adapted to be arranged directly above the disk 18. Radiating from this ring or annulus 24 is an arm 25 adapted to be attached to and supporting the section 11 of the adjacent Wing. The section 10 being supported by a similar arm 26 radiating from a disk 27. The disk 27 is adapted to be arranged directly above the ring or annulus 24 and is formed with an annular series of teeth 28 on the underside thereof to mesh with the pinions 23. The various disks above described are connected together by means of a sectional bolt, the sections of which are indicated at 29 and 30 respectively. and which sections are connected together by a universal joint 81. This bolt passes through the openings 20 of the disks 12 and 18, and also through a squared opening 32 arranged centrally of the disk 27. It is clear from the drawings that the sections 30 of the bolt is rectangular in cross section to be received by the opening 82 just mentioned, so that this disk 27 is rotated with the bolt. The upper section of the bolt is threaded to receive a nut 33 to assist in holding the parts operatively associated, and for this purpose. I also make use of a coil spring 34 which is interposed between the disks 12 and 18, holding the latter mentioned. disk effectively in meshing engagement with the pinions 28. It will be further noted that the universal joint 31 between the bolt sections is arranged in a direct line between the balls 17 which support the disk 18 which arrangement facilitates movement of the disk and the ring; 24 incident to the folding or unfolding of the ring sections by rotating the disk 27 as above described. The respective sections of each wine; are normally held in their extended or active positions by means of a coil spring arranged within the ring 2 1, one end of which spring is connected to the rind. and its other end connected in any suitable manner with the disk 27. These cooperating" parts carry stop elements 26 and 27' respectively which limit the movements of the wins: sections to active position. Also supported by the machine A are rests 38 which are disposed in the path of movement of the wines when the latter are being moved toward the body A of the 'machine, and the sections 10 which are the nearest to the body A do not begin to fold beneath the sections 11 until they contact the rests 38. By reason of this construction, it will be manifest. that when the bolt is rotated, similar motion is imparted to the disk 27 which supports one of the wing sections, and the disk 27 meshes with the pinions. and causes the latter to rotate, which in turn imparts rotary motion to the. annulus 24. It will be noted. that the annulus and the disk rotate in the same direction. but that the disk 27 will travel considerably faster than the annulus 24. the difference between the relative movements being regulated by the size of the pinions. Consequently. as the wings are moved toward the body of the machine. the larger section traveling faster than the smaller section is eventually folded on top of the latter.

For the purpose of tilting the wines when outstretched with relation to the body of the machine. I provide a shaft 39 which is mounted in suitable bearings 40 tor both sliding: and rotary movement. and the movements of the shaft are controlled by a man ually operable lever 4-1 which has a balland socket connection 42 with the bearing. and a torked extremity 44 which is received by a slot in the shaft 39 and straddling a pin 45. Carried by this shaft at opposite sides are semi-cone shaped members 16. each oi. which is arranged directly beneath a rod 4-7. the upper end of which supportsa socket 4-8 which receives the knob or extension 21 projecting from the disk 18. When the shaft moved longitudinally throueh the bearing 40, the semi-cone shaped members 46 elevate the rods 17 to tilt the wings at the opposite sides of the machine for the purpose of stabilizing the same. Incident to this operation. one wine; is lowered while the back of the wing tilts downwardly. whereas the wine at the opposite side is raised and the back portion of the winetilted upwardly as clearly shown in Figure and this action is acquired by mounting" the w ngs in a plane obliquely to the linenot the \VIIIQ'S when outstretched. Furthermore when the wings are folded at the sides of the body A as clearly shown in Figure one wing: is slightly raised while the other is slightly lowered. and the machine is thus stabilized, while the wines are in this position. which of course is essential to fast flying. By oscillating; the control lever 41. the shaft 39 is partially rotated in one or the other directions. which also imparts tilting movement to the opposite sides of the machine through the instrumentality of the cables 50 which are connected with the knobs or extensions 15 on the lower disk 12 and also to the cross arms 51 which are carried by the shaft 39 adjacent the ends thereof. Consequently the entire unit made up of the various disks and constituting a sup port for each wing can be tilted in diiferent positions shown in the drawings. The rods 47 are preferably made up of two sections telescoping within the tubular member 52 which contains a coiled spring 53, a slot and pin connection 54 being provided between the uppermost section of the rod and the sleeve 52. The spring functions to normally hold the upper section of the rod 47 elevated, but also allows relative movement of this rod with relation to the sleeve 53 should the wing be moved by a contending current of air, so that the rod could slightly yield without disturbing or imparting any movement whatever to the control lever 41. This action will of course make it much easier to stabilize the machine. It will now be noted that the lower section 29 of the connecting bolt which holds the various disks and rings 24 assembled, is embedded in the lower disk 12, and is also provided with a notch or recess 55 to receive the squared extremity 56 of the short vertically disposed shaft 57. Of course there is one of these shafts for each of the units made up of the various disks above described, and the lower end of each shaft 57 is equipped with a bevelled gear 58. These gears meshing with similar gears 59 carried by the ends of the shaft 60 arranged in parallelism with the shaft 89, and. which shaft 60 is mounted for rotation and controlled by a hand wheel 61. The wheel 61 is suitably geared to the shaft 60 so that the latter can be partially rotated in either direction depending upon the direction in which the wheel 61 is turned. hen the shaft 60 is rotated similar motion is imparted to the annulus 24 and disk 27 supporting the wings at the opposite sides of the machine. In other words, the disk 27 is rotated by the bolt, and this action causes the pinions to rotate. which in turn rotates the annulus 24, in the same direction. It is in this manner that the Wings are moved toward the body of the machine and one sect-ion of the wing folded beneath the other, while the control lever 41 is used to vary the angle of the wings with relation to the body A. for the purpose of stabilizing the machine.

WVhile it is believed that from the foregoing description, the nature and advantages of the invention will be readily apparent, I desire to have it understood that I do not limit myself to what is herein shown and described, and that such changes may be resorted to when desired as fall within the scope of what is claimed.

Having thus described the invention, I claim:

1. In an aeroplane, wings including relatively movable sections capable of being folded one beneath the other, means for normally holding said sections extended. means for simultaneously raising and lowering the wings in opposite directions to stabilize the machine, and means for moving said wings toward the body of the machine and simul taneously folding said sections.

2. In an aeroplane, wings including relatively movable sections capable of being folded one beneath the other, wing supports mounted for both pivotal and rotary movements, means including a manually operable control lever for moving the supports upon the pivots to vary the angle of the wings with relation to the body of the machine and moving said wings in opposite directions to stabilize the machine, and means for rotating said supports for moving said wings toward the body of the machine and simultaneously folding said sections.

3. An aeroplane, wings including relatively movable sections, wing supports mounted for pivotal movement, means including a manually operable lever for changing the angle of the wings with respect to the machine and moving said wings in opposite directions to stabilize the machine, each support including spaced superimposed disks, one of which is mounted for rotation, and supporting one section of the adjacent wing, a ring geared between the adjacent disks and adapted to be rotated with said disk and in the same direction therewith, said ring supporting the other section of said wing and means for rotating said disk and ring, whereby said wings are moved toward the body of the machine and said sections simultaneously folding one beneath the other.

4. In an aeroplane, sectional wings having their sections arranged in horizontal planes, and mounted for relative pivotal movement, means for moving said wings toward the body of the machine, and means for holding one section stationary while the other section is being folded above the latter during its movement in the direction of the machine.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

ALBEN V. BROQUIST. 

